Deni Avdija

[Runner300]

Next trade deadline - Deni to the Lakers for Dennis Schroeder and 3 more second round picks, going out to 2035. In 2035, Wizards draft one of Boston Dynamics' sentient robots, trying one more time to win over the Japanese market, with their love of all things robot-related. Mr. Roboto ends up eating Terd Leonsis' ugly sweater, leaving Terd's saggy man-boobs out in the open on CSN (since he still won't join in the movement to stream games online). Japanese fans recall the Rui betrayal from a decade before and shower naked skinny Terd and his evil robot with pilfered urinal cakes.

The players should still be humans, otherwise the game is not entertaining.
The coaches, scouts, development crew, GM and the owner could be replaced with robots, with no apparent effect.
Similar should be done to some other team half across the globe.

[nate33]

The coaches, scouts, development crew, GM and the owner could be replaced with robots, with no apparent effect.

I think that this would be a massive improvement. Just replace the scouting department with one nerd who understands some advanced stats and they would be better off. Actually, they've already got a stat nerd on the payroll, but he apparently doesn't have the authority to override Tommy/Ted's "character first" motto.

[FAH1223]

Troy Haliburton on Bleav in Wizards podcast said that when Deni becomes extension eligible this summer, the Wizards will want to get a rookie extension done.

What does that look like?

[nate33]

Troy Haliburton on Bleav in Wizards podcast said that when Deni becomes extension eligible this summer, the Wizards will want to get a rookie extension done.

What does that look like?

Extensions for non-max guys are very difficult to negotiate. The Wizards will want to lock in a reasonably low salary, commensurate with his production over the past 3 years, and Deni is going to think that his 4th year will be the year he blows up and proves that he is a quality starter, if not a star. If the Wizards don't pay him like a quality starter, it will be in Deni's best interests to reject an extension and try his luck in the open market.

Furthermore, I think there is some merit to arguments from the Deni-loyalists around here that the Wizards' system doesn't properly utilize the talents of Deni. (I'm not necessarily blaming the Wizards - a system that best utilizes Deni may not best utilize Beal, Porzingis and Kuzma.) Deni is a rather unique player with unusual strengths and weaknesses, so there may only be a small number of teams who would fit him perfectly. Deni may believe it's in his best interests to explore the open market for a team that fits him best.

[Dark Faze]

Deni's RFA is the summer of the cap spike, so they'll probably hold onto him unless they know for sure they don't want him, as we'll have more money to potentially overpay should we desire.

[Pistol King]

Read on Twitter

I've seen some growing from Deni tonight. First and foremost a much better body language. He acted like a man and not like a boy. Loved that he looked to drive when has the opportunity, and loved how he grabbed and go. Sometimes he frustrates the hell out of me with his passivity, and in some games, like this one, I remembering again how high his potential can be with some little upgrades to his offensive game. His open court speed is a big plus, just wanna see an assertive version of him on daily basis.

[pcbothwel]

Troy Haliburton on Bleav in Wizards podcast said that when Deni becomes extension eligible this summer, the Wizards will want to get a rookie extension done.

What does that look like?

Id like Huerter/Beasley as a comp and get 16-17 per for 3-4 years.
But a nice finish to this year puts him keldon Johnson/Hunter range of 20M unfortunately.

4/75M is where I think he inevitably ends up.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Kanyewest]

Read on Twitter

?t=3UYoEyhmzuFbm-BPaseG9g&s=19

[badinage]

Taking the leap!

(I predicted we would see the evidence around game 50 … )

[dckingsfan]

Taking the leap!

(I predicted we would see the evidence around game 50 … )

I thought we would see more at the beginning of the season coming off his play for Israel. Then I thought - well, next year, maybe.

[Dolevi]

It's all about the roster and chemistry.

[Dolevi]

Just look how good was the FGA between all players last game, all balanced, everyone gets their piece in the cake, the ball moves. Deni's touching the ball more plus Rui's leaving, both those things have a part in that distribution.

[dckingsfan]

It's all about the roster and chemistry.

It is about roster, chemistry and trust.

And it is also about skills. Deni's midrange and 3 point game is still missing in action. His ball handling skills are pretty good but going left is still a problem. And his aggressiveness comes and goes.

[badinage]

Not a player in this league — not a one — who doesn’t have flaws or weaknesses or areas that can be improved.

How about looking at what a player CAN do, and what he might yet develop into. That’s the fun of this. Watching a guy grow.

It’s also, by the way, the absolute best way to evaluate talent in any endeavor. Not to focus on what a person can’t do, but to focus on what they can: what their strengths are, what they bring, how best to maximize those positives.

[Rafael122]

I will say this at least, Deni has shown more than Rui has when it comes to getting that 2nd contract. If you're in Year 3, and you still haven't shown that you have NBA talent or shown improvements, that's a problem.

[nate33]

I will say this at least, Deni has shown more than Rui has when it comes to getting that 2nd contract. If you're in Year 3, and you still haven't shown that you have NBA talent or shown improvements, that's a problem.

Rui will definitely get a second contract - at least for Room Minimum money, if not the full MLE or more.

That said, I agree with your main point that Avdija has shown more utility as an NBA player than Rui. If nothing else, he is more durable and has been more consistent and reliable in his 2nd and 3rd season than Rui was in his 4th. You know you'll get good D and good rebounding out of Deni every night. The offense comes and goes, but the D can be relied upon. Rui might have more "upside" since he has the rarer skill of shot creation from the forward position and he has a better NBA body; but at some point, teams will pay him for what he does and not what he might be able to do.

[Rafael122]

I will say this at least, Deni has shown more than Rui has when it comes to getting that 2nd contract. If you're in Year 3, and you still haven't shown that you have NBA talent or shown improvements, that's a problem.

Rui will definitely get a second contract - at least for Room Minimum money, if not the full MLE or more.

That said, I agree with your main point that Avdija has shown more utility as an NBA player than Rui. If nothing else, he is more durable and has been more consistent and reliable in his 2nd and 3rd season than Rui was in his 4th. You know you'll get good D and good rebounding out of Deni every night. The offense comes and goes, but the D can be relied upon. Rui might have more "upside" since he has the rarer skill of shot creation from the forward position and he has a better NBA body; but at some point, teams will pay him for what he does and not what he might be able to do.

I'm talking rookie contract extension though. 99% of the rookies always get that extension but Rui...man IDK, I've seen two reports where the Wiz were talking 12-14 million for him, and another report where Rui's camp was looking for $18 million. He hasn't played enough or shown enough improvement on the defensive side to warrant either offer IMO.

[nate33]

I'm talking rookie contract extension though. 99% of the rookies always get that extension .

I'm not sure what you are talking about. 99% of rookies absolutely do not get a rookie extension. Extensions are fairly rare. Maybe 4 or 5 rookies are extended each year, and that's typically just the really good ones who are getting max or near-max money. Lots of rookie contract guys are out of the league when their rookie contracts are up. Lots more do not get offered the qualifying offer and become unrestricted free agents who usually sign for sub-MLE money (like Troy Brown, for instance).

Maybe you are talking about a qualifying offer. That's the offer teams extend in order to retain RFA rights on a rookie. I think it's highly likely that the Lakers will extend the QO for Rui. The only reason they might not is if they want to generate max cap room for a guy like Kyrie Irving. So I'd say Rui meets the threshold of a reasonably successful NBA career. He'll probably make at least $50M over his career.

[BearlyBallin]

https://youtu.be/q7ujlR21TXo

Watch on YouTube

Turbo Deni has my attention

[badinage]

Turbo Deni is a PIECE.

And an utter joy to watch. At both ends.